Chatham News

CHATHAM — When it comes to safely managing the town’s bathing beaches this summer, officials are weighing more than just the public health implications of COVID-19. They have to consider a key source of town revenue and a major driver for the town’s economy.
“The number one thing that everybody wants when they come here is the beaches,” said parks and recreation commissioner Kimberly Robbins, who also operates...

Annual Session To Be Held At Veterans Field
CHATHAM — There won’t be any baseball played on Veterans Field this summer, but on June 22, town officials will be pitching an abbreviated town meeting warrant to a gathering of socially-distanced voters. For safety during COVID-19, the town’s annual legislative session is being held outdoors at 6 p.m. rather than at the middle school.
It’s certainly the first tim...

CHATHAM — Because of COVID-19, Chatham firefighters couldn’t give Pete Connick the traditional gathering thrown for retiring chiefs. Instead, they surprised him with a rolling tribute: a parade with firefighters and police from around Cape Cod.
With sirens blaring, the parade rolled in front of the Depot Road firehouse, where Connick, his family and other department members watched the procession. In addition ...

CHATHAM — Admitting that it will be very difficult to enforce, the board of health Monday issued an order requiring people to wear face masks at the lighthouse overlook, the fish pier observation deck and the town transfer station in a bid to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
The initiative builds on a previous order requiring people to wear masks outdoors along Main Street in downtown Chatham. Public reaction...

SOUTH CHATHAM — Having ignored daily fines levied by the town, the owners of BodyStrong Fitness were served with an immediate cease and desist order Monday afternoon for opening despite the governor’s order to remain closed during the pandemic emergency.
Delivering the order is “the last step of the procedures that the state has laid out for enforcement,” Health Agent Judith Giorgio told the health board Monda...

But General Business District Expansion Gets Skeptical Reception
CHATHAM – A special zoning designation that would allow the development of the Monomoy Theatre property has been endorsed by the planning board. Board members were less amenable to a petition article to expand a corner of the downtown business district, putting off a recommendation to give the proponents time to work out some of the kinks.
Vot...

CHATHAM — To provide more social distancing room for shoppers, downtown merchants have proposed banning on-street parking and allowing only one-way traffic on Main Street this summer. A new working group has been formed to review and refine the proposal.
At last Thursday’s meeting of the board of selectmen, Chatham Chamber of Commerce Executive Director said business leaders have developed a plan for “a safe, ...

Town Issuing Fines, Could Seek Court Order
SOUTH CHATHAM — Saying he’s being strong-armed by state regulators, the owner of a local fitness center opened his doors in defiance of the state closure last Wednesday. The owner of Bodystrong Fitness said the company needs to make money to survive.
“We opened against the governor’s order because we have to at this point. It’s been two months,” majority owner Coli...

CHATHAM – Not long after the coronavirus lockdown, Hank Holden learned from Wayside Inn owner David Oppenheim of an effort to establish a special fund to help residents hurt financially by the closure of local businesses. The more he learned about the Chatham Coronavirus Impact Fund started by Marybeth and Stephen Daniel, and the efforts being made by Monomoy Community Services to help people, the more he realize...

But State Agrees To Smooth Pavement
WEST CHATHAM — Hotly debated for years and delayed by a gas company mistake, the long-awaited West Chatham roadway reconstruction project faces new uncertainty because of COVID-19.
But in one happy bit of news, the state has agreed to make temporary improvements to smooth the bumpy pavement that has been rattling teeth for months.
On Wednesday, after press time, sele...

Commission: Neglect Contributed To Deterioration
CHATHAM – The historical commission has agreed to lift a demolition delay on a Cockle Cove Road house that has deteriorated beyond repair.
Commission members were critical of the lack of maintenance on the house at 26 Cockle Cove Rd., calling it a case of demolition by neglect. The administrator of the trust that owns the 1.1 acre property said the family has...

CHATHAM – On Monday, the first day in more than seven weeks that nonessential retail shops were allowed a limited opening, there was a light but steady stream of people downtown, and many businesses had thrown open doors and set up tables to provide curbside service.
No one expected sales anywhere near the level of past Memorial Days, but many merchants saw it as a glimmer of hope in what has been a devastatin...